2019 Meetings
- December 2019 – Members were able to Train Engineers at Babylon Old Town Hall for the annual Holiday Babylon Village Model Train layout. The layout included an interactive “O” Gauge train layout with 3 train lines, a trolley line, and many animated accessories.
- November 2019 – The topic of the meeting was the “LIRR Expansion Project from Floral Park to Hicksville – 2019 Progress.” The presentation included an overview of the project, its purpose, description, and benefits as well as a tour of the Center and videos of the construction.
- October 2019 – Joe Costa shared a video called “The Standard Railroad of the World -125 years of the Pennsylvania Railroad”. The video included scenes of steam, diesels (some that ran on the Long Island railroad at one time.) The video also contained bonus videos like “progress on the rails” or “clear track ahead”.
- September 2019 – Dave Morrison showed a presentation based on his recently released book: Grand Central Terminal and Penn Station: Statuary and Sculptures. The statuary that is on top of Grand Central Terminal and the statue of Commodore Vanderbilt, as well as the cast-iron eagles at the terminal today will be discussed. The statuary groups that were once on top of all four sides of the former Penn Station building will be covered, as well as the statues of two former PRR presidents. Dave discussed his 30-year search for the eagles of Grand Central Station and Penn Station. He was the catalyst for the placement of two cast-iron eagles that are at Grand Central Terminal today. His research resulted in the Smithsonian Institution modifying a plaque at the National Zoo. His book retails for $21.99, but as a special to attendees at the meeting, he sold the book for $20.00 and included a copy of his 32-page, full-color booklet The Cast Iron Eagles of Grand Central Station. Also discussed was the $60,000 restoration work on a Grand Central Station eagle that is being performed at this time.
- June 2019 – John Kilbride shared a slide presentation, “Inside Sunnyside,” the first hundred years of Sunnyside Yard’s operation initiated with its construction, explaining the operational practices and providef present-day views, beginning with a cab ride trip from Penn Station. The role of the yard as part of the entire PRR’s Tunnel and Terminal Railroad project will be explained and a handout provided to assist in understanding the facility’s contribution to the organized dispatching of out-bound trains throughout the first century!
- May 2019 – Paul Gawkowski presented a show on the following: A ride on the Southwest Chief to Albuquerque; Then on to Santa Fe on the New Mexico Rail Runner, The Tucson Streetcar; the Valley Metro Light Rail System in Phoenix; Amtrak’s Crescent from Penn Station to New Orleans; The St. Charles and restored Canal Street streetcar lines in the Crescent City; Visits to the Los Angeles LRT Santa Monica extension of the Expo Line and the extension from Sierra Madre to Azusa on the Gold Line.
- April 2019 – Dave Morrison presented “The arrival of the Long Island Rail Road Mini Maids” a digital image show regarding the arrival of the Long Island Rail Road Mini Maids. It was 50 years ago the LIRR Public Affairs Department Director Hank Boerner instituted the Mini Maid program at the LIRR. Hank joined us for the evening along with two former Mini Maids. There were lots of photographs to see and lots of recollections to hear.
- March 2019 – Kevin Katta presented “50 Years Ago on the LIRR”, which included 1960’s Into the ’70’s.”The 60’s — Orange & grey action around Jamaica, Morris Park, Mineola and all around the system.The 1970’s — the beginning of the MTA takeover.
- February 2019 – Gerard Jewels presented a slide show on the King Park VA Hospital siding and its facilities as well as a video titled “Action on the Long Island Rail Road.”
- January 2019 – “Mr. Philip Eng (President, LIRR)” Mr. Philip Eng who is the President of the LIRR presented an informative look at the LIRR.
